The ministry and ministers of the word

Abstract

Much has been written about the centrality of the word of God in these last decades, prompted by various factors. But no matter what, the Church today is aware of the thirst for this word. Many have rediscovered the Book and regularly read and meditate on it, not as a piece of literature, but as the divine message. We experience around us a flourishing interest in small bible-groups of people who come together to study and reflect on this word, and in an attitude of openness let it guide them towards a deeper significance of their life~ The worshipping assembly thrives on the liturgy of the word, that through the homily becomes the table at which it is nourished and edified. On the other hand, there is still much to be desired. The poverty that marks some of today's preaching cannot be solely attributed to a little interested congregation or to methodological deficiencies. I think the main reason lies in the fact that very often we are not aware of what really takes place in preaching, and more exactly in the 'word' that is addressed to the liturgical assemblies. In a world that is suffering from the "inflation of the word" , where the word, spoken and printed, reaches out at us from all angles, the need is felt all the more to see the preached word for what it truely is - a special word.